Feedback & Reports

2 grayling rods, one trotting, one fly-fishing - 1 x 12" grayling. A hard day, with the river higher than I expected and slightly muddy during the morning, presumably due to showers somewhere upstream, although it cleared later. Finally a single modest grayling deigned to surrender to the trotting rod before dark. We welcomed it to the net like a long-lost friend.

7 x grayling, 1 x out of season trout. One grayling at 15", the rest in the 10-12 inch range. Traditional wets with sinking leader butt plus heavy nymphing under the rod top. Water levels still a little high for this beat.

1 x grayling 14", 2 x out of season trout 13" and 15". A very difficult day's trotting and I failed to locate any significant shoal of grayling. The larger post-spawning trout was as thin as an eel - all head and tail.

Abernant with trotting rod: Good to be back on the river after all these weeks. Water high but quite fishable, slight grey/green tinge which I guess must be due to Ithon run-off. Above freezing all day, so no rod icing. 11 grayling 12-16 inches, mostly quite nice ones around 15 inches, plus 3 out of season trout 11-14 inches. Post-spawning trout rather lean and pale and no doubt famished, barging in where the grayling should be and no doubt will continue to do so until March.

Salmon kelts also present on the beat.

A very raw day fishing the likely pools at the top end of the beat. Flushed a woodcock walking through the woods. Not much on the fishing front. Just one very cold grayling that came in like an old twig. I look forward to having another go when the fish are a bit more obliging.

Water extremely high so no surprise that nothing caught. Even in depths of winter in full spate this is a beautiful beat and well worth a trip just to admire the scenery. Can't wait to come again with sensible water conditions!! A great day out nevertheless.

Location - near Ross On Wye. Bait - Large dead roach. Tackle - 30lb braid, Size 6 trebels, dart float. Catch - Pike 32lb 2ozs Caught at dusk.

WUF Note : Not a Wye & Usk Foundation Booking

I'm sitting here looking at all the ice on the web cams and trying to imagine a system of rod ring de-icers, something to do with a battery in the pocket and little wires to each ring. Do you reckon that could be patented or would a carbon rod vanish in flames? My teen-aged daughter is saying: get a life, Dad.

One of the coldest days I have ever fished, didn't help when I had a major wader leak! Fished various heavy nymphs as the river was still pacy, but never had a touch. So for the record, two blanks.

Still enjoyed the day out though and will be back.

Had a 19lb 2oz at 8am on a large whole herring. No more runs. Rained all day.